Angola, located in southwestern Africa, operates under a presidential system of government and holds elections to determine its political representatives. Here is some information about the election system in Angola:
- Presidential Elections: Angola’s President is elected through a direct popular vote. Presidential elections occur every five years. The candidate who receives the highest number of votes, without the need for an absolute majority, is declared the winner. If no candidate obtains a majority, a second round is held between the two leading candidates.
- National Assembly Elections: The National Assembly of Angola is the country’s legislative body. It has 220 seats, and members are elected through a proportional representation system. Political parties submit candidate lists, and seats are allocated based on the percentage of votes each party receives. The number of seats a party obtains corresponds to its share of the national vote.
- Electoral Process: The National Electoral Commission (Comissão Nacional Eleitoral, CNE) is responsible for organizing and overseeing elections in Angola. It ensures the integrity and transparency of the electoral process, including voter registration, candidate registration, and the announcement of results. International observers may also be present to monitor the elections.
- Voter Eligibility: Angolan citizens who have reached the age of 18 or older are eligible to vote. Voter registration is required, and citizens must be included in the electoral roll to participate in elections. Registration is typically conducted before elections and facilitated by the CNE.
- Election Results: The presidential candidate who receives the highest number of votes is declared the winner and assumes the presidency. In National Assembly elections, seats are distributed among the participating political parties based on the proportional representation system, with the number of seats reflecting the party’s share of the vote.
